Digestibility and microbiota modulation by nuts and sunflower seeds in cystic fibrosis: an in vitro approach

This study evaluated the lipid and protein digestibility and the prebiotic potential of almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and sunflower seeds through static in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation, comparing healthy and cystic fibrosis (CF) conditions.

The CF model included reduced pH, low bile salt concentration, and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Digestibility was assessed via matrix degradation, proteolysis, and lipolysis, while microbiota composition and metabolic activity were analysed using faecal inoculum from paediatric CF donors.

Sunflower seeds and peanuts showed the highest lipolysis under CF conditions (46%), with sunflower seeds also achieving the highest proteolysis (457 mg tyrosine/g food). Beta-diversity analyses revealed significant differences in microbiota composition after simulated colonic fermentation between the four food samples, with sunflower seeds uniquely reducing Acidaminococcus and increasing the production of linear-chain short-chain fatty acids and lactate. In contrast, almonds exhibited notably low proteolysis, potentially due to antinutritional factors.

These findings highlight the differential digestibility and microbiota modulation of nuts and seeds under CF-specific conditions, with sunflower seeds emerging as a promising dietary component for children with CF.